Adjustable additive cartridge systems

ABSTRACT

An adjustable additive cartridge that provides adjustable metering of additive to a base fluid as the base fluid is flowing through the cartridge. A spout is mounted for limited rotation within a base element of the cartridge. Rotation of the spout results in varying degrees of flow of additive into a base fluid flow path through the cartridge. The cartridge may be used with a portable beverage container, such as a sports bottle or off-the-shelf water bottle. The supply of base fluid in a container used with the cartridge may be kept in an unmixed, pure state, and other cartridges, each having different additives (i.e., flavors) may be used interchangeably with the same base fluid supply. The cartridge allows a consumer/user to experience different additives, such as different flavors or supplement compositions, for a given supply of base liquid in a single container. A check valve on the cartridge prevents backflow of the base fluid. An integrated filter for filtering base fluid flowing into the cartridge may be provided. The additive cartridge may be sealed to provide for extended storage and to provide a user/consumer with evidence of integrity, quality and/or tampering prior to purchase and/or use. Visual and tactile indicators of the amount of additive being added to a base fluid may be provided. A container may retain a spare additive adjustable cartridge on the container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/948,225, filed onNov. 20, 2015, and claims the priority benefit thereof under allapplicable provisions, laws and treaties, which application furtherclaims the priority benefit of US provisional patent application Ser.No. 62/083,129 titled “ADJUSTABLE ADDITIVE CARTRIDGE SYSTEMS,” filed onNov. 21, 2014, the disclosure and subject matter of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. Where an element or subjectmatter of this application or a part of the description, claims ordrawings in the aforementioned provisional application is not otherwisecontained in this application, that element, subject matter or part isincorporated by reference in this application for the purposes of anyand all applicable rules, procedures or laws.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates to fluid storage, dispensing and delivery systemsfor beverages and other products. More specifically, this documentrelates to dispensing and delivery systems that utilize cartridges forproviding an additive, such as flavoring concentrate or nutritional orvitamin supplements, in controlled and adjustable amounts, to a baseliquid, such as water, as the base liquid is dispensed through thecartridge. The document also relates to cartridge and container systemsthat enable a user to utilize multiple cartridges, each having adifferent additive, interchangeably with a given supply of base liquid,such that the additive can be combined with the base liquid forconsumption or other use, while a supply of base liquid, such as that incontainer (i.e., water bottle) remains in a pure, unmixed state.

BACKGROUND

The prior art includes various devices for providing additives to a baseliquid. Such devices include pre-mix systems, such as those described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,306,117, in which a predetermined amount of additive isdispensed into a base liquid within the container and mixed therewithprior to consumption. Prior art systems also include devices in which anadditive is provided to a base fluid as it is dispensed from acontainer. Such delivery systems are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No.8,230,777, which describes a dispensing system in which a base liquidflows through a supplement area containing solid supplements, and U.S.Pat. No. 8,413,844, which describes a water dispenser (pitcher) having afilter and an additive chamber in which the additive is dispensed aswater is poured from the dispenser.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention provides an adjustable additive cartridgethat provides adjustable metering of additive to a base fluid as thebase fluid is flowing through the cartridge. The cartridge may bereadily adapted to a portable container, such as a sports bottle oroff-the-shelf water bottle. Because the cartridge provides additive tothe base fluid as it flows through the cartridge, an additive and basefluid mixture can be dispensed while the supply of base fluid containedwithin a container used with the cartridge may be kept in an unmixed,pure state. Moreover, aspects of the invention provide for the use ofmultiple cartridges, each having different additives (i.e., flavors)interchangeably with a given container and given supply of base fluid.Modular additive cartridges according to aspects of the invention may beused with containers storing a supply of base fluid to allow aconsumer/user to experience different additives, such as differentflavors or supplement compositions, with the same supply of base liquid.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides an additive cartridge withan integrated filter for filtering base fluid flowing into thecartridge.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides an additive cartridge thatis sealed to provide for extended storage and to provide a user/consumerwith evidence of integrity, quality and/or tampering prior to purchaseand/or use.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides an additive cartridge withvisual and tactile indicators of the amount of additive being added to abase fluid.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a cartridge and containercombination wherein the container includes elements for retaining aspare additive adjustable cartridge on the container.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which the described invention pertains. Although otherimplementations, methods and materials similar to those described hereincan be used to practice the invention, suitable and exampleimplementations, methods and materials are described below. Allpublications, patent applications, and other references mentioned hereinare incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict,the present specification, including definitions, will control. Inaddition, the materials, methods and examples are illustrative only andare not intended to be limiting in any way. The details of one or moreexample implementations of the invention are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objectsand advantages of the invention will be apparent from the descriptionand drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other attendant advantages and features of the inventionwill be apparent from the following detailed description together withthe accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals representlike elements throughout. It will be understood that the description andembodiments are intended as illustrative examples and are not intendedto be limiting to the scope of invention, which is set forth in theclaims appended hereto.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example cartridge and containersystem according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the cartridge and container system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the cartridge and container system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the cartridge and container system of FIG.1.

FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of the cartridge and containersystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the cartridge and containersystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example cartridge according to anaspect of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the cartridge of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the cartridge of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the cartridge of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a cross-section of the cartridge of FIG. 7 in an assembledconfiguration.

FIG. 12 is an exploded, cross-section of the cartridge of FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is an exploded, perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 7.

FIG. 14 is a top, sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 7 taken inplane 14-14 of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an example adjustable additive cartridge100, according to an aspect of the invention, may be used in combinationwith a container 10, such as a portable water bottle, having a cap 20 inthreaded and sealing engagement with the container body. The cap 20 mayinclude a carrying handle 24 formed integrally therewith. One or morevent holes 21 are provided in the cap 20 to permit inflow of air to theinterior of the container 20.

Referring additionally to FIG. 3, which is a bottom view of thecontainer 20 of FIG. 1, according to a further aspect of the invention,containers used in combination with the adjustable additive cartridgemay include implements for securely storing one or more spare cartridges100S thereon.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate in further detail the primary components of anexample container and cartridge system according to aspects of theinvention. Cartridge 100, which is in use, is secured to container cap20, which includes a threaded cartridge-retaining collar 22 to which acorrespondingly threaded retaining portion 121 of the cartridge base 120is secured. As will be recognized, other implements may be used forproviding secure, sealing engagement of the cartridge 100 to the cap,such as snap fit elements, 0-rings and the like.

In a similar fashion, and referring additionally to FIG. 6, sparecartridge 100S may be secured to a bottom portion of the container 10and housed within a recess 11 formed therein. A spare cartridgeretaining collar 14 also formed in the container bottom or fastenedthereto, provides for threaded engagement of a threaded retainingportion 121 on the base 120 of the spare cartridge 100S. A number ofgripping elements, such as gripping teeth 16 may be formed on the bottomof the container 10 for preventing the container from slipping on asurface.

A filter assembly (see FIGS. 4 and 5, particularly) may include a filterhousing 42 having at least one passage 48 therein for permitting inflowof base fluid from the container, and a threaded collar 44 for engaginga threaded filter retaining collar 21 (Figure 4) on the underside of cap20. A porous, activated carbon filtration element 46, which may be solidor annular, may be housed within the filter housing 42 for filtering thebase liquid contained in container 10 as the base liquid flows from thecontainer through the filtration assembly and into the cartridge 100. Asilicone air inlet valve 26 is provided in the cap for permitting theflow of air into the container as liquid is dispensed, while preventingoutflow.

FIGS. 7-14 illustrate details of an example cartridge 100 according toaspects of the invention. Cartridge 100 may include a spout sealing cap160, which may be snap fit onto a cartridge base 120, which includes atapered and threaded retaining collar 121, having visual and tactileindicia 123 thereon for indicating a flavor intensity provided by theadjustable cartridge as will be explained. Spout sealing cap 160, andthe cartridge 100 as a whole may be provided with a tamper proof element(not shown) such as a shrink-wrapped frangible plastic membrane providedaround the entire cartridge so as to assure quality, safety and atamper-free state of the cartridge prior to purchase and use.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 11 and 12, the cartridge 100 maygenerally comprise three components—a spout 140, cartridge base 120 andspout sealing cap 160. Spout 140 and cartridge base 120 cooperate toprovide for adjustable flow of additive from the cartridge to a basefluid flow path, referenced by arrows “B” in FIG. 11. An additive flowpath, referenced by arrow “A” in FIG. 11 (which shows the additive flowpath obstructed by the spout stem 150) is also defined within thecartridge. Base fluid flow and additive flow are combined in an additiveand base fluid combined flow path referenced by arrows “AB” in FIG. 11.

Cartridge base 120 may include an inner annular wall 122, an outerannular wall 126 and a cartridge bottom wall 133, which define anannular additive reservoir 128. Bottom wall 133 may include one or moreinlet ports 130 (see also FIG. 10), which provide for the entry of basefluid into the cartridge, for example, from an outlet of the filterassembly described above. A base fluid flow check valve 135 may besecured in the bottom wall 133 and may include a flexible siliconerubber “button” shaped element with a stem portion being frictionallysecured in an aperture 125 through the bottom wall 133 of the cartridge100. Check valve 135 ensures only one-way flow of the base fluid intothe cartridge 100 and prevents backflow into the filter assembly and/orcontainer 10. As will be recognized, the dimensions of inlet ports 130,as well as the materials and dimensions of check valve 135 may be variedto achieve appropriately controlled flow rates of the base fluid throughthe cartridge 100.

To provide for the metered and controlled flow of additive from theadditive reservoir 128 and into the base fluid flow path, as will bedescribed further below, one or more additive metering ports 124 may beformed in the inner annular wall 122 of cartridge base 120. Meteringports 124 may extend in a matrix pattern around a portion of the innerannular wall 122. Inner annular wall 122 may define a portion of a spoutreceiving annulus 127 for receiving and securing the spout 140 forrotational movement therein. An interference projection or tab 129 isformed on the cartridge base 120 for engaging metering adjustmentdetents on the spout 140 as will be described.

Spout 140 may include a top outlet section 142, a detent section 144 andan annular stem 150. When assembled with cartridge base 120, annularstem 150 extends into the annular space 127 defined by the inner annularwall 122. Annular stem 150 includes an additive metering section 152with an additive flow slot 154 formed in the stem and extending aportion of the circumference of the stem. When the spout 140 isassembled with the base 120, spout 140 may rotate in the direction ofarrow “R” (FIG. 13) such that additive metering section 152 may permitor obstruct flow through the metering ports 124. More particularly,metering section may be rotated to a position where the surface of stem150 completely obstructs the metering ports 124 (as shown in FIG. 11),in which case no additive is permitted to flow into the base fluid flowpath (corresponding to a “water only” setting on the cartridge, forexample). Further, when flow of additive is desired, spout 140 andmetering section 152 may be rotated to a position where the slot 154 islocated adjacent some or all of the ports 124, providing forcorresponding levels of flow of additive through ports 124 and into thebase fluid flow path. In this manner, the amount of additive mixed withthe base fluid may be adjusted by rotation of the spout 140 within thecartridge base.

According to another aspect of the invention, collar 121 may be providedwith visual and tactile indicia corresponding to the additive flowsettings provided for various rotational positions of the spout 140within the cartridge base. An index or other indicator 158 (FIG. 13) maybe provided on the spout 140 such that it aligns with one of theindicators 123 on the base collar 121 for a given rotational position. A“water-only” indicator 159 may also be provided on the collar 121,corresponding with a fully closed position of the additive flow path.

According to another aspect of the invention, the cartridge base 120 andspout 140 are provided with elements that ensure a positive rotationalposition of the spout 140 relative to the cartridge base. Referringadditionally to FIG. 14, which is a cutaway view of the cartridge base120 and spout 140 taken into plane 14-14 in FIG. 11, an interference tabor projection 129 extends into an annular slot 146 formed in the detentportion 144 of spout 140. The slot may extend only partially around thedetent portion 144 to provide stopping surfaces 149 (FIG. 14) thatengage projection 129 and thereby limit the rotation of spout 140 withinthe cartridge base 120. A series of projecting tabs or detent elements145 extend in a manner that cause frictional engagement with projection129 (for clarity in description, FIG. 14 shows the elements 129 and 145not touching, it being understood that some overlap, deformation andfriction will be present). The interaction of interference tab 129 withdetent elements 145 provides for positive rotational positions of thespout 140 within the base 120. These positions correspond with theindicia on collar 121 such that the user can gauge the rotationalposition of the spout 140 within the base 120, and the correspondinglevel of additive being provided for mixing with the base fluid.

Threaded retaining collar 121 of cartridge base 120 is provided withindicia to indicate the mount of flavoring intensity (i.e., withvertical projections of increasing size). A corresponding index orpointer 158 on the spout indicates the rotational position of the spout140 within the base 120. According to an aspect of the invention, thecartridge may be configured to a “water-only” mode, as indicated by thedroplet indicator 159, where the flavor metering ports 124 would becompletely blocked by the flavor metering section 152 because of thecorresponding rotational position of the stem 150 within cartridge base120. In this mode, unflavored and filtered base liquid (water) may bedispensed from the container without any complex reconfiguring requiredby the consumer. The one-way or check valve 135 prevents backflow ofwater and/or flavor concentrate into the container interior.

As will be recognized, the flow of base fluid through the spout stem 150will cause the additive to flow through the metering ports 124 such thatthe additive mixes with the base fluid in a controlled manner. A usermay adjust the amount of additive added to the base liquid by rotatingthe spout 140 within the cartridge base. The dimensions of the meteringports 124 may be selected to provide appropriate flow of additive.Metering ports having a diameter of approximately 0.03 inches have beenfound to provide for suitable metering of additive liquid, whilepermitting the retention (non-leakage) of additive liquid from theadditive reservoir and preventing flow of the base fluid through themetering ports and into the reservoir.

As will be recognized, the diameter of metering ports may be varieddepending on the viscosity of the additive liquid and other parameterssuch that flow occurs in appropriate quantities. A turbulence-creatingprojection 151 may be provided in the flow path to enhance the mixingand uniform dilution of the additive within the base fluid.

The check valve 135 and inlet ports 130 may be configured in appropriatedimensions to provide for controlled flow of the base fluid over a rangeof container pressures (i.e., such as those caused by a user squeezingthe container in the case of a flexible container). For additionalcontrol of the base fluid flow through the cartridge, container 10 maybe provided as a rigid (i.e., not substantially squeezable or flexible)container 10 so that user compression of the container does notinfluence flow of the base liquid through the cartridge or additive,where instead fluid exits the container by gravity with the container isinverted and flows at a more uniform rate. An air inlet valve 26 on thecap 20 (FIG. 3) may provide replacement air (i.e., and prevent a vacuum)as the base fluid flows from the container interior. The air inlet valve26 may be a silicone “button” shaped valve with a stem that fits and isfrictionally and/or compressively within an aperture in the cap 20 and avalve face that seals one or more vent holes 21 against flow out of thecontainer, while permitting the flow of air into the container.

As will also be recognized, suitable thermoplastic polymers may be usedto form the various aforementioned elements, including polyethyleneterepthalate (PET), polycarbonate, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) andothers.

It should be understood that implementation of other variations andmodifications of the invention in its various aspects may be readilyapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and that the inventionis not limited by the specific embodiments described herein. It istherefore contemplated to cover, by the present invention any and allmodifications, variations or equivalents that fall within the spirit andscope of the concepts described herein.

1. An adjustable additive cartridge for containing a supply of additiveto be mixed with a base fluid contained in a base fluid containercomprising: a cartridge base including a base fluid flow passage definedtherein for permitting flow of the base fluid from the base fluidcontainer through the cartridge base; an additive reservoir forcontaining a supply of additive and having an outer wall defining aninterior space, the cartridge base including an additive flow passagefor permitting flow of additive from the reservoir interior space to thebase fluid flow passage; a spout cooperating with the cartridge base andincluding a spout fluid flow passage defined therein, the spout fluidflow passage permitting flow of a mixture of additive and base fluidfrom the cartridge base fluid flow path to a dispensing end of thespout; and an additive metering section disposed in the additive flowpath for varying the flow of additive flowing in the additive flow path;and an additive metering adjuster for permitting a user to adjust theadditive metering element, the additive metering adjuster being movablerelative to the cartridge base, wherein movement of the additivemetering adjuster causes the additive metering element to vary the flowof additive in the additive and base fluid mixture and thereby.
 2. Thecartridge of claim 1, wherein the metering section comprises a surfaceon the spout.
 3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the metering elementcomprises at least one port defined in the cartridge base, the port alsodefining at least part of the additive flow passage.
 4. The cartridge ofclaim 1, wherein the spout cooperates with the cartridge base and isrotatable with respect thereto to adjust the flow of additive flowingfrom the additive flow path to the base fluid flow path.
 5. Thecartridge of claim 1, wherein additive reservoir is defined as anannular space between inner and outer annular walls of the cartridgebase, and wherein the metering element comprises a matrix of aperturesformed on the inner annular wall of the cartridge base.
 6. The cartridgeof claim 5, wherein the spout includes an annular stem that fits withina corresponding annulus in the cartridge base, and wherein the meteringelement further comprises a surface on the spout annular stem that mayselectively obstruct one or more of the apertures.
 7. The cartridge ofclaim 1, further comprising a check valve for preventing backflow of thebase fluid.
 8. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising aturbulence-creating projection disposed within the spout fluid flow pathto enhance mixing of the additive and base fluid mixture.
 9. Thecartridge of claim 1, wherein the base includes a threaded collar forengaging a correspondingly threaded portion of a container.
 10. Thecartridge of claim 1, wherein the spout is rotatable within thecartridge base and wherein the spout includes a plurality of meteringadjustment detents and wherein the cartridge base includes aninterference projection adapted to engage the metering adjustmentdetents to secure the spout in a fixed rotational position relative tothe cartridge base.
 11. An adjustable additive delivery systemcomprising: a container having an interior space for containing a basefluid; a cap for enclosing the container, the cap adapted to receive acartridge therein and including a cap flow path defined therein forpermitting the base fluid to flow from the interior container space; anda cartridge for delivering a desired amount of additive to the basefluid as the base fluid passes through the cartridge, the cartridgecomprising: i) a cartridge base having a base fluid flow path definedtherein for permitting flow of a base fluid through the cartridge base,the cartridge base including an additive reservoir defined therein forcontaining a supply of additive, the cartridge base further defining anadditive flow path which permits flow of additive from the additivereservoir to the base fluid flow path; ii) a spout cooperating with thecartridge base and including a spout fluid flow path defined therein,the spout fluid flow path permitting flow of additive and base fluidmixture from the cartridge base fluid flow path to a dispensing end ofthe spout; and iii) a metering element disposed in the additive flowpath to adjust the flow of additive flowing from the additive flow pathto the base fluid flow path.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein themetering element comprises a surface on the spout.
 13. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the metering element comprises at least one portdefined in the cartridge base, the port also defining at least part ofthe additive flow path.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the spoutcooperates with the cartridge base and is rotatable with respect theretoto adjust the flow of additive flowing from the additive flow path tothe base fluid flow path.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein additivereservoir is defined as an annular space between inner and outer annularwalls of the cartridge base, and wherein the metering element comprisesa matrix of apertures formed on the inner annular wall of the cartridgebase.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the spout includes an annularstem that fits within a corresponding annulus in the cartridge base, andwherein the metering element further comprises a surface on the spoutannular stem that may selectively obstruct one or more of the apertures.17. The system of claim 11, further comprising a check valve forpreventing backflow of the base fluid.
 18. The system of claim 11,further comprising a turbulence-creating projection disposed within thespout fluid flow path to enhance mixing of the additive and base fluidmixture.
 19. The system of claim 11, wherein the base includes athreaded collar for engaging a correspondingly threaded portion of thecontainer.
 20. The system of claim 11, wherein the spout is rotatablewithin the cartridge base and wherein the spout includes a plurality ofmetering adjustment detents and wherein the cartridge base includes aninterference projection adapted to engage the metering adjustmentdetents to secure the spout in a fixed rotational position relative tothe cartridge base.